Main Particulars - Sorolla
Classification Bureau Veritas
Length, o.a 564 ft. (172 m)
Length, bp 515 ft. (157 m)
Breadth 86 ft. (26.2 m)
Depth to main deck 30 ft. (9.2 m)
Design draft 20 ft. (6.2 m)
DWT 5,000
GT 28,275
Passenger capacity 1,000
Passenger cabins 748
RoRo capacity 98 trailers + 165 cars,
or 80 trailers + 336 cars
Main engine output 28,960-kW
Service speed 23-knots
Name
Shipbuilder
Ship Type
Owner
Sorolla
Hijos de J. Barreras
RoRo Ferry
Transmediterranea
By David Tinsley
Marking an important stage in the regeneration of
the RoRo ferry route network maintained by Com-
pania Trasmediterranea, last spring's delivery of the
28,275-gt RoPax Sorolla strengthened the state-
owned firm's position in the Balearics trade.
Imbuing both a higher degree of service quality
and operational flexibility in an increasingly com-
petitive segment of the Mediterranean market,
Sorolla was built at the Vigo yard of Hijos de J.Bar-
reras. She underscored the emergence of the Gali-
cian shipbuilder as a growing force in RoRo con-
struction. Privatized in 1998 through its sale by the
erstwhile Astilleros Espanoles (now encapsulated in
IZAR) to a group of Spanish maritime and industri-
al interests, Barreras also supplied blueprints for
sistership Fortuny to IZAR's Puerto Real yard.
Completed in a build time of just 16 months, the
23-knot Sorolla melds a high grade of accommoda-
tion for 1,000 passengers with a RoRo intake of up
to 98 trailers plus 165 cars. The garage areas can
alternatively stow 80 trailers and 336 cars, or equiv-
alent permutations of road freight, vans and cars.
She was assigned to the Barcelona-Palma di Mal-
lorca connection, cutting two hours off the previous
schedule. Second-of-class Fortuny was subsequent-
ly delivered from Puerto Real into the other princi-
pal link between the mainland and the islands, the
Valencia/Palma route. The modest draft of 20 ft.
(6.2 m) relative to a dwt of 5,000 tons reflects the
owner's wish to ensure long-term operating versatil-
ity, including accessibility to the Menorcan port of
Mahon.
Sorolla is a testament to Trasmediterranea's drive
to raise vessel productivity, increase revenue gener-
ation, and meet the growing expectations of freight
clients and passengers alike. The grade of accom-
modation and range of facilities is in keeping with
the owner's decision to introduce a cruise ferry stan-
dard to its mainline routes. Cabins have been pro-
vided for nearly 75-percent of the total passenger
complement, distributed throughout deck 7, while
the two decks immediately above
include a gymnasium with sauna, swim-
ming pool, jacuzzi, solarium, open-air
bar, and a saloon disco with bar, dance
floor and stage.
All vehicle handling to and from
Sorolla is concentrated through two
stern ramp-doors of identical dimensions and
capacities, with Trasmediterranea having decided to
eschew a drive-through configuration. This has
resulted in a finely-faired foreship section compati-
ble with the requirement for a relatively high, sus-
tainable speed.
Cargo access equipment specialist MacGregor
accordingly sought to ensure efficient cargo work-
ing and expeditious turnarounds in the absence of a
bow door. The axial stern ramps provide an entry
point across the full width of the main trailer deck,
and fold in the stowed, upright position so that pas-
senger can enjoy an unimpeded view from the pub-
lic deck spaces and accommodation in the aftship
area.
A fixed ramp leads down to the lower hold, with
the requisite headroom and strengthening for trail-
ers and designation for hazardous items of freight,
while the upper RoRo deck and associated,
hoistable car deck, is also reached via two fixed
ramps at the aft end of the main garage deck. One
caters for cars and the other is dimensioned for trail-
ers. Peaks in the car-accompanied passenger traf-
fic during the summer season are also served by the
arrangement of a fixed, intermediate car deck
between the after parts of the upper RoRo deck
level (deck 5) and deck 7. While the contractual
requirement was for a speed of 23-knots, Sorolla
achieved 25.2-knots on sea trials at the machinery's
100-percent maximum continuous rating on a draft
of 20-ft. (6.2-m), and 24.5-knots at 85-percent mcr.
One of the most popular designs of machinery
among the RoRo, ferry and passengership commu-
nities, the Finnish-manufactured Wartsila 46, was
nominated to power Sorolla. The plant consists of
four eight-cylinder models, each delivering a 7,240-
kW at 500-rpm, with propulsive effect delivered by
two variable pitch propellers made by Navalips
through Reintjes reduction gearboxes. Shaft gener-
ators driven off the gearsets enhance overall operat-
ing efficiency.
"Now with
leak detection" mum
Smart Radar Level
Sensor with Generic
RS485 Output
The first flat array antenna for liquid tank gauging.
This software driven array allows for each sensor
to remotely configure itself for the type of product
as well as the structural characteristics within
each tank. It is completely self-diagnostic and is
factory calibrated using a laser interferometer to
,1mm. It is designed for the harshest environments
and can be provided in a high temperature version
to 385°F. It is intrinsically safe with Class 1, Div. 1,
Group D & C approvals. As a smart sensor, all
processing calculations and software are resident
in the device itself, only a high level generic data
output, i.e., RS485 (or others on request) is sent
to the cargo control area.
Options:
• Multiple alarm set-points
• Temperature • PV Pressure • I.G. Pressure
• Tank Management Software
• Automated draft and trim
S
Call today
for more
information!
ELECTRONIC MARINE
SYSTEMS, INC.
800 Femdale Place
Rahway, NJ 07065
732.382.4344
732.388.5111 fax emsmarcon@aol.com e-mail
http://www.emsmarcon.com
Circle 263 on Reader Service Card
or visit www.moritimereporterinfo.com
December, 2001 35